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It was a beautiful day. The sun hit your back, warming you up, while the cool wind blew, cooling you off from the front. November 7, 2003, was the day of the inauguration of Mars Hill President Dan Lunsford.

At 9 a.m. on the third floor of Blackwell Hall, the joy was muted. The staff was overcome with grief, having heard a few hours earlier about the untimely death of Freshman Bobby Beeson. Lunsford began his final hours before inauguration with a heavy heart.

Those hours were filled with Board of Trustee meetings and a lot of people congratulating him on his accomplishment. He and his staff rushed around his office like busy bees, hard at work. At 11:30 a.m., after his meeting with the Board of Trustees, Lunsford went to lunch in Redway Dining Hall. There he dined with his wife Beverly, his father, and other family members and guests, including the trustees. After a few speeches and prayer, the entire group sat down to enjoy a lunch catered by the cafeteria staff.

After lunch, Lunsford and his presidential party returned to the third floor of Blackwell to prepare for the Inauguration ceremony. During this time, Lunsford and Troy Day, chairman of the Board of Trustees, shared a few private moments as they donned their academic gowns. Lunsford paused for a brief interview with News-13 WLOS.

Other members of the Inaugural Procession gathered to prepare for the walk, including Student Body President Jeff Jenkins, Amanda Orders, chief of the College Marshals, and Presidential Intern Frank Beacham. Faculty Chair George Peery prepared to carry the mace, a hand-carved symbol of authority. It was designed in walnut and silver in 1986 by a former college art professor, with carvings by President Emeritus Fred Bentley.

Moments before they left, the presidential party lined up on the first floor of Blackwell. The first six people in line were George Peery, College Chaplain Daniel Terry, Troy Day, Academic Council Chair Grainger Caudle, Jeff Jenkins and Board of Advisors Chair Larry Leake. There was much laughter and fellowship shared as they prepared to take the walk along with Lunsford, his last walk as Interim President of Mars Hill College.